Multispeed roll for ironers



July 26, 1938. J. w. JENSEN 2,124,977

MULTISPEED ROLL FOR IRONERS Filed Nov. 13, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 s ze zJuly 25, 1938 J. w. JENSEN MULTISPEED ROLL FOR IRONERS Filed Nov. 13,1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 26, 1938 2,124,977 MULTISPEED BOLLFOR IRONEBS This invention the type having a Joseph W. Jensen,

tric Household Chicago, Utilities Corporation,

lll., a corporation of Illinois Application November 13, 1936,

14 Claims.

relates to ironing machines of horizontally disposed, rotating roll anda cooperating shoe, and wherein the roll is supported and driven solelyat one end thereof.

More speciilcally,

the present invention contemplates the provision of a multi-speed drivefor the ironer eii'ort has been tions in a manner so It is recognizedthat some to devise ironer constructhat the roll proper may roll.

made

also be driven at a relatively low or slow speed,

in addition to and considered constructions as what has generally beenfound a normal ironing speed. Such have been heretofore produced havenecessitated complete re-design of the driving mechanism for the ironerroll and due to limitations of space and the desirability of compactnessof construction, ance, the multi-speed and general appeardriveconnection as heretofore embodied in such machines are usually such thatthe low or slow speed has invariably been found to be an impracticalspeed for ironing articles There are certain ing from the embodiment ofof wearing apparel, etc.

recognized advantages resulta drive mechanism which also permitsrotating the ironing roll at a relatively slow practical ironing speed,as for example, it permits proper and convenient ironing of certaindelicate or dilcult articles of wearin! apparel, etc.

permits proper Another advantage is that it ironing of various articlesthat are relatively damp, such as articles which contain such an amountof moisture that it would ordinarily necessitate passing said articlethrough the machine more than once, at the normal ironing speed, inorder to substantially remove all the moisture from said article forpreserving the effect of the ironing operation.

One of the primary objects vention is to p mechanism, for chine. whichis in operation and capable of manufactured.

Another obj ect novel multi-speed oi the present inrovlde a novelmulti-speed drive a rotating roll of an ironing marugged inconstruction, positive resides in the provision of a drive mechanismconstructed and arranged for adaptation to the free unsupported end ofthe roll.

'A further object is to provide a novel multispeed drive mechanismconstructed and arranged ior mounting in the roll without the manneraltering anism located free unsupported end oi the necessity ofdisturbing or in any the conventional driving mechthe supported end ofthe roll and which mechanism may be understood to be being economicallyof the type roll at a single nor Still another object is to mechanism.slow roll speed certain delicate or di parel and permits a tomanipulate the ironer i ticles.

Other objects an will be apparent fr taken in connecti drawings, in

Ill., asslgnor to Elec- Chicago,

Serial N0. 110,561

usually employed for rotating the which that permits beginner which Fig.l is a fragmentary view ironing roll, with portions broken end of theaway to sho mechanism embodying Fig. 2 is a mechanism i Fig. 3 is antaken substanti Fig. 1.

Fig.4isa

w in section the view n ano enlarged transv the splined connection oithe taken as indicated at line 4-4 Fig. 5 is a diagramma an ironingmachine embo drive mechanism constituting tion.

For purpose diagrammatically of illustration i in Fig. 5 a

of ironing machine including is operatively anism enclosed in a housingB.

ing roll, design one end by the connected with th tuation in aweil-known m with the roll ill is a shoe ind be moved into and out ofcooperating is adapted to relation to the roll by anism which con andtherefore invention, Said roll i0 preferably of is provided w suitableincludes a tubula resilient material i2, encased ric covering body il,

is reinforced by an stitutes no part requires no illustration.

mal ironing speed.

provide an provides a practical low or improved proper ironing oi'flicult pieces of wearing apto readily learn how n ironing various ardadvantages of this invention om the following description, on with theaccompanying of the unsupported multi-speed drive the present invention.similar to Fig. l showing the ther position of adjustment.

erse sectional view ally as indicated at line 3--3 on transversesectional view through drive mechanism, on Fig. l.

tic elevational view of dying the multi-speed the present invenhaveshown rather conventional form a motor A which connected to suitabledrive mech- A rotatable ironated at iii. is wholly supported at housingB where it is operatively e driving mechanism for acanner. Associatedicated at C, which well-known mechof the present r body element il,

metal, the exterior surface o! which ith one or more layers of suitablein a suitable fab- The extreme outer end of the nnular metal band il,spot-welded or otherwise secured to the interior of the stood that theironer adaptable is ported at an roll.

tubular body I i.

It is to be underto which this invention is oi' the type wherein theroll is supd driven solely fr om one end of the Extending longitudinallyand axially of the roll III is a tubular sleeve I8, for supporting saidroll body II, and which may be understood to be mounted within the rollIII in a manner somewhat similar to that embodied in single ormulti-speed commercial forms of rotating roll type ironers. 'Ihe end ofsaid tubular sleeve I6 is supported concentrically within the tubularbody II, as will hereinafter be described. Disposed within the tubularsleeve I6 is a driving shaft I1 which is connected to suitable means forimparting rotation to the roll III. It is to be understood that theopposite end of said shaft, (not shown) is connected to conventionaldriving mechanism which is capable of manipulation under the control ofthe operator.

As may be seen in the drawings, the shaft I1 extends a short distancebeyond the tubular sleeve I6, and rigidly secured to said extendedportion of the shaft by means of one or more set screws I3, is a driveelement 20 whose exterior surface is provided with a plurality ofsplines 2l. Journaled and axially movable on the outer end of the sleeveI6 is a housing 23 which is provided with a hub portion 24, having abushing 25 driveiltted therein for bearing support upon the exterior ofthe sleeve I6. Said hub portion continues into an outward extension 26the extreme end of which is threaded and engaged by a closure element 21which serves as a convenient knob for operating the multi-speedmechanism. The internal portion of said extension 26 is provided withsplines 29 cooperating with splines 2I of the element 20. Positionedintermediate the adjacent ends of the splined element 20 and the tubularsleeve IG and circumscribing the driving shaft I1 is a washer 3| whichserves as a stop for one shoulder of the internal splined portion 23,oi' the hub extension 26, and limits inward movement of the housing 23,as seen in Fig. 1. The opposite shoulder of said splined portion 29limits the outward movement of the housing 23 by contact with a capplate 33 secured to the end of the splined element 20 by screws 34, as.

seen in Fig. 2.

The inner end of the housing 23 terminates in an enlarged annulardrum-like portion 23* in the end of which is press-fitted an annularclutch element 36 in the form of an internal gear ring. adapted forselective engagement with a cooperating clutch element 31 secured bymeans of bolts 33 to a dished support 39 which is formed with an annularflange 33", spot-welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the interior ofthe tubular body Il. 'The central portion of said member 33 is formedflange 33h in which is press-litted a bushing 40 adapted for journalsupport on the external surface of the tubular sleeve I6. The clutchelement 31 may be of any desired form and,` as herein shown, is in theform of a gear, adapted to mesh with the gear ring 38.

In the position of the parts shown in Fig. 1 the shaft I1 drives thesplined element 2li, which in' turn rotates the housing 23 through thesplined connection of the hub extension 28, and because the clutchelements 38 and 31 are in operative engagement. motion is transmitteddirectly through the clutch element 31 to the support 39, directlyrotating the roll III. It is to be understood that this arrangement ofthe driving mechanism rotates the roll Iii at which is considered anormal operating speed.

For changing the speed of rotation o1' the roll ID to low or slow speed,the knob member 21 with an annular reversely extending is grasped andpulled outward to the position seen in Fig. 2, in which position thehousing 23 has been moved so that the gear ring 36 is in mesh with apinion 45 journaled on a stud 46 rigidly secured in a boss 31'L of theclutch member 31. Said pinion 45, as may be seen in the drawings, isconstantly in mesh with a planet gear 48 which is rigidly secured on thesupporting tube I8 by one or more set screws 43, in its hub 43. In thisposition of adjustment of the mechanism it will now be apparent that thepinion 45 which is connected to the clutch member 31 and which in turndrives the roll by virtue of its connection to the dished support 33,substantially reduces the speed of rotation of the roll III.

It is to be understood that the end of the teeth of the pinion 45adjacent the boss 31 and both ends of the teeth of the gear ring 3B, aswell as the outer ends of the teeth of the gear ring 31. are beveled sothat upon longitudinal movement of the housing 23, the gear ring 36 mayquickly and easily mesh with either the teeth of the clutch member 31 orthe teeth of the pinion 45. By virtue o'f this construction it ispossible to change the speed of the roll while it is operating.

As above mentioned, the washer 3I serves as a stop adapted to be engagedby the shoulder oi the splined portion 29 of the hub extension 26'whensaid housing is moved inwardly to the position seen in Fig. 1, while theshoulder formed at the opposite end of the splined portion 29 is adaptedto abut against the cap plate 33 when the housing 23 is withdrawn to theposition seen in Fig. 2 which corresponds to the low driving speed forthe roll I0.

Although I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of myinvention, manifestly it is capable of modification and variationwithout departing from the spirit and scope thereof. I do not,therefore, wish to be understood as limiting this invention to theprecise construction herein disclosed, except as it may be so limited inthe appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an ironing machine, in combination, a rotatable roll havingsupport means and driving mechanism at one end of the roll, a stationarytubular roll supporting element disposed substantially centrally in saidroll and carried by the support means, a shaft disposed within thetubular element and connected to said driving mechanism, and selectivelyadjustable means mounted in said roll and having connection to saidshaft for driving said roll at a plurality of different speeds.

2. In an ironing machine, in combination, a rotatable roll havingsupport means and driving mechanism at one end of the roll, a stationarytubular roll supporting element disposed substantially centrally in saidroll and carried by the support means, al shaft disposed within thetubular element and connected to said driving mechanism, and selectivelyadJustable means mounted in said roll and having connection to saidshaft for driving said roll at a plurality of different speeds, saidselectively adjustable means including a plurality of separate positivedriving connections from said shaft to said roll.

3. In an ironing machine, in combination, a rotatable roll havingsupport means and driving mechanism at one end of the roll, a stationarytubular roll supporting element disposed substantially centrally in saidroll and carried by the support means. a shaft disposed within thetubular element and connected tosaid driving mecha- 75 nism, andselectively adjustable means mounted in said roll and having connectionto said shaft for driving said roll at a plurality of different speeds,said selectively adjustable means including a plurality of axiallyspaced drive connections from said shaft to the roll, and an axiallymovable control member for selectively engaging one of said driveconnections for rotating said roll at one of said desired speeds.

4. In. an ironing machine, in combination, a rotatable roll havingsupport means and driving mechanism at one end of the roll, a stationarytubular roll supporting element disposed substantially centrally in saidroll and carried by the support means, a shaft disposed within thetubularelement and connected to said driving mechanism, and selectivelyadjustable means mounted in said roll and having connection to saidshaft for driving said roll at a plurality of different speeds, saidselectively adjustable means including a plurality of axially spaceddrive connections from said shaft to the roll, an axially movablecontrol member for selectively engaging any of said drive connectionsfor rotating said roll at one of said speeds, and stop means forpositioning cooperating members at any of said drive connectons.

5. In an ironing machine, in combination, a rotatable roll havingsupport means and driving mechanism at one end of the roll, a stationarytubular roll supporting element disposed substantially centrally in saidroll and carried by the support means, a shaft disposed within thetubular element and connected to said driving mechanism, and selectivelyadjustable means mounted in said roll and having connection to saidshaft for driving said roll at a plurality of different speeds, saidselectively adjustable means including a plurality of axially spaceddrive connectons from said shaft to the roll, and an axially movablecontrol member for selectively engaging one of said drive connectionsfor rotating said roll at one of said speeds, one of said driveconnections comprising a clutch member and a support rigidly attachedthereto and to the roll for driving said roll.

6. In an ironing machine, in combination, a rotatable roll havingsupport means and driving mechanism at one end of the roll, a stationarytubular roll supporting element disposed substantially centrally in saidroll and carried by the support means, a shaft disposed within thetubular element and connected to said driving mechanism, and selectivelyadjustable means mounted in said roll and having connection to saidshaft for driving said roll at a plurality of different speeds, saidselectively adjustable means including a plurality of axially spaceddrive connections from said shaft to the roll, and an axially movablecontrol member for selectively engaging one of said drive connectionsfor rotating said roll at one of said speeds, one of said driveconnections comprising a clutch member and a support4 rigidly attachedthereto and to the roll for driving said roll at the same speed as saidshaft, and another of said drive connections including a gear reductionfor rotating said clutch and support member together with said roll at alower rate of speed.

7. In an ironing machine, in combination, a rotatable roll havingsupport means and driving mechanism at one end of the roll, selectivelyadjustable means carried in said roll for driving it at differentspeeds, and means for connecting said selectively adjusting means andsaid driving mechanism.

8. In an ironing machine, in combination, a rotatable roll havingsupport means and driving mechanism at one end of the roll. a stationaryroll supporting element disposed in said roll and carried by the supportmeans, a shaft extending through said roll and connected to said drivingmechanism, and adjustable means mounted in said roll and havingconnection to said shaft for selectively driving said roll at differentspeeds.

9. In an ironing machine, in combination, a rotatable roll havingsupport means and driving mechanism at one end of the roll, a stationarytubular roll supporting element disposed substantially centrally in saidroll and carried by the support means, a shaft extending through saidroll and connectedto said driving mechanism. and adjustable meansmounted in said roll and having connection to said shaft for selectivelydriving said roll at different speeds, said selectively adjustable meansincluding a plurality of separate positive driving connections from thefree end of said shaft to said roll.

l0. In an ironing machine, in combination, a rotatable roll havingsupport means and driving mechanism at one end of the roll, a stationarytubular roll supporting element disposed substantially centrally in saidroll and carried by the support means, a shaft disposed within thetubular element and connected to said driving mechanisrn, andselectively adjustable means mounted in the end of said roll oppositethe support and having connection to said shaft for driving said roll ata plurality of different speeds, said selectively adjustable meansincluding a plurality of axially spaced drive connections from saidshaft to the roll, and an axially movable control member for selectivelyengaging one of said drive connections for rotating said roll at one ofsaid speeds.

l1. In an ironing machine, in combination, a rotatable roll havingsupport means and driving mechanism at one end of the roll, a stationarytubular roll supporting element disposed substantially centrally in saidroll and carried by the support means, a shaft disposed Within thetubular element and connected to said driving mechanism, and selectivelyadjustable means mounted in the end of said roll opposite the supportand having connection to said shaft for driving said roll at a pluralityof different speeds, said selectively adjustable means including aplurality of axially spaced drive connections from said shaft to theroll, an axially movable control member for selectively engaging any ofsaid drive connectons for rotating said roll at one of said speeds andstop means for positioning cooperative members at any of said drivelconnections.

12. In an ironing machine, in combination, a rotatable roll havingsupport means and driving mechanism at one end of the roll, a stationarytubular roll supporting element disposed substantially centrally insaid.roll and carried by the support means, a shaft disposed within thetubular element and connected to said driving mechanism, and selectivelyadjustable means mounted in the end of said roll opposite the supportand having connection to said shaft for driving said roll at a pluralityof different speeds, said selectively adjustable means including aplurality of axially spaced drive connections `from said shaft to theroll, and an axially movable control member for selectively engaging oneof said drive connections for rotating said roll at one of said speeds,one of said drive connections comprising a clutch member and a supportrigidly attached thereto and to the roll for driving said roll.

13. In an ironing machine, in combination, a rotatable roll havingsupport means and driving mechanism at one end of the rolll a stationarytubular roll supporting element disposed subi stantlally centrally insaid roll and carried by the support means, a shaft disposed within thetubular element and connected to said driving mechanism, and selectivelyadjustable means mounted in the end of said roll opposite the supportand having connection to said shaft for driving said roll at a pluralityoi' different speeds, said selectively adjustable means including aplurality of axially spaced drive connections from said shaft to theroll, and an axially movable control member for selectively engaging oneoi' said drive connections for rotating said roll at one of said speeds,one of said drive connections comprising a clutch member and a supportrigidly attached thereto and to the roll for driving said roll at thesame speed as said shaft, and another o! said drive connectionsincluding a gear reduction for rotating said clutch and support membertogether with said roll at a lower rate of speed.

14. In an ironing machine, in combination, a rotatable roll havingsupport means and driving mechanism at one end of the roll, a stationarytubular roll supporting element disposed substantially centrally in saidroll and selectively adjustable end of said roll opposite ,instablemeans including a plurality o! separa positive driving connections fromsaid shaft ber, an internal gear housing, a support port and adapted toshaft, a planet gear ber and constantly said housing being pinion iordriving said roll at a reduced rate speed.

JOSEPH W. JENSEN.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2.l2b9?7. July 26, 1958.

JOSEPH W. JENSEN.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationof the above nzmbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5,first colinnn, line 9, claim 5, strike out the word "desired"; andsecond column,

onary" insert tubular; and. that the said Letters Patent should be readwith this 'correction `therein that the same may conform to the recordof the 'case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 27th day of September, `A. D. 1958.

iienry Va Andale (Seal) C' Acting Commissioner of Patents.

said roll, said selectively adjustable means comprising a splineddriving member rigidly mounted on the end o! the shaft. a housingJournaled and axially movable on the tubular element and having a hubportion internally splined for cooperative engagement with the splineddriving memring rigidly connected to said connected to the interior otthe roll and Journaled on said tubular element, a clutch member rigidlyconnected to said supbe engaged by said gear ring for driving said rollat the same speed as said rigidly mounted on the tubular element, apinion carried by the clutch memmeshed with the planet gear, axiallymovable for disposing the gear ring in driving engagement with said andcarried by the support means, a shaft disposed within the tubularelement and connected to said driving mechanism, means mounted in thethe support and having plurality oi' diii'erent speedsl said selectivelyadte to said drive connections comprising a clutch member and a supportrigidly attached thereto and to the roll for driving said roll.

13. In an ironing machine, in combination, a rotatable roll havingsupport means and driving mechanism at one end of the rolll a stationarytubular roll supporting element disposed subi stantlally centrally insaid roll and carried by the support means, a shaft disposed within thetubular element and connected to said driving mechanism, and selectivelyadjustable means mounted in the end of said roll opposite the supportand having connection to said shaft for driving said roll at a pluralityoi' different speeds, said selectively adjustable means including aplurality of axially spaced drive connections from said shaft to theroll, and an axially movable control member for selectively engaging oneoi' said drive connections for rotating said roll at one of said speeds,one of said drive connections comprising a clutch member and a supportrigidly attached thereto and to the roll for driving said roll at thesame speed as said shaft, and another o! said drive connectionsincluding a gear reduction for rotating said clutch and support membertogether with said roll at a lower rate of speed.

14. In an ironing machine, in combination, a rotatable roll havingsupport means and driving mechanism at one end of the roll, a stationarytubular roll supporting element disposed substantially centrally in saidroll and selectively adjustable end of said roll opposite ,instablemeans including a plurality o! separa positive driving connections fromsaid shaft ber, an internal gear housing, a support port and adapted toshaft, a planet gear ber and constantly said housing being pinion iordriving said roll at a reduced rate speed.

JOSEPH W. JENSEN.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2.l2b9?7. July 26, 1958.

JOSEPH W. JENSEN.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationof the above nzmbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5,first colinnn, line 9, claim 5, strike out the word "desired"; andsecond column,

onary" insert tubular; and. that the said Letters Patent should be readwith this 'correction `therein that the same may conform to the recordof the 'case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 27th day of September, `A. D. 1958.

iienry Va Andale (Seal) C' Acting Commissioner of Patents.

said roll, said selectively adjustable means comprising a splineddriving member rigidly mounted on the end o! the shaft. a housingJournaled and axially movable on the tubular element and having a hubportion internally splined for cooperative engagement with the splineddriving memring rigidly connected to said connected to the interior otthe roll and Journaled on said tubular element, a clutch member rigidlyconnected to said supbe engaged by said gear ring for driving said rollat the same speed as said rigidly mounted on the tubular element, apinion carried by the clutch memmeshed with the planet gear, axiallymovable for disposing the gear ring in driving engagement with said andcarried by the support means, a shaft disposed within the tubularelement and connected to said driving mechanism, means mounted in thethe support and having plurality oi' diii'erent speedsl said selectivelyadte to

